Kristin, I affirm your interest in the connection between multi-level marketing and church growth. Having been in the mecca for the CRC and Amway both, you are uniquely qualified to do the research. It also struck me in your convocation today that the CRC seems to be trying to build those strong boundaries in an effort to grow, while the RCA is trying a different path. It will be interesting to see how both denominations fare in the future...
I'm still pondering the great "sampler" of "The Spirit of Justice, Trump and Abortion, and Church Growth," S1E9 with the shared sermon with cautions for perceptions (including numbers) & privilege-centered pursuit of power--whether political or religious.
Glad I wasn't drinking coffee or something when I heard the line about the Virgin Mary not having enough kids to suit JD Vance.
The project on MLM and evangelical church growth sounds fascinating, and I'm sure has more depth than just names on campus buildings.
A similar connection I'd love for somebody to explore (or do you know of somebody who has?) is the devotion of many evangelicals to the atheist Ayn Rand. I happened to read a biography of Rand shortly after I read Jesus and John Wayne, and it struck me that Rand's male protagonists are very much in the mold described by J&JW. So I wonder if that was a causal factor, or if it was completely the simple fact that Rand had a philosophy that justifies wealthy white people (mostly men) retaining power.
Hey y'all, here's a useful summary of some of the Catholic influence on JD Vance: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/influence-austrofascism-on-jd-vance. There're good places to go from there if you're interested in pulling on that thread of reactionary Catholic political theory and the reactionary American right's love of Franco and other dictators. Good stuff but one hell of a rabbit hole.
Also, re: MLMs, there's great popular stuff on the role of religion in MLMs on YouTube.
Thank you all! So much to think about. Those Vance quotes are very interesting.
Thanks y’all for another interesting conversation. Listening gives me a sense of embodied hope
Kristin, I affirm your interest in the connection between multi-level marketing and church growth. Having been in the mecca for the CRC and Amway both, you are uniquely qualified to do the research. It also struck me in your convocation today that the CRC seems to be trying to build those strong boundaries in an effort to grow, while the RCA is trying a different path. It will be interesting to see how both denominations fare in the future...
I'm still pondering the great "sampler" of "The Spirit of Justice, Trump and Abortion, and Church Growth," S1E9 with the shared sermon with cautions for perceptions (including numbers) & privilege-centered pursuit of power--whether political or religious.
Rev Dr John-Howard Wesley, "What is Truth?" Alfred Street Baptist Church, Sep 15, 2024. (Start at 1:51:00), https://www.youtube.com/live/jR8y7D2rtjc?t=6653s
Glad I wasn't drinking coffee or something when I heard the line about the Virgin Mary not having enough kids to suit JD Vance.
The project on MLM and evangelical church growth sounds fascinating, and I'm sure has more depth than just names on campus buildings.
A similar connection I'd love for somebody to explore (or do you know of somebody who has?) is the devotion of many evangelicals to the atheist Ayn Rand. I happened to read a biography of Rand shortly after I read Jesus and John Wayne, and it struck me that Rand's male protagonists are very much in the mold described by J&JW. So I wonder if that was a causal factor, or if it was completely the simple fact that Rand had a philosophy that justifies wealthy white people (mostly men) retaining power.
Hey y'all, here's a useful summary of some of the Catholic influence on JD Vance: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/influence-austrofascism-on-jd-vance. There're good places to go from there if you're interested in pulling on that thread of reactionary Catholic political theory and the reactionary American right's love of Franco and other dictators. Good stuff but one hell of a rabbit hole.
Also, re: MLMs, there's great popular stuff on the role of religion in MLMs on YouTube.